Chris Radburn via Reuters
Manchester United have been told they could sign Manchester City midfielder Elliot Anderson for half price as part of an audacious double transfer raid, following the recent news on their 115 charges.
Man City have long had the bragging rights over their arch-rivals Man United, given how both clubs have performed in recent years, but the Red Devils may just have the last laugh, depending on what City's punishment will be.
Having been found guilty of 114 of the 115 financial rule breaches they were accused of, big sanctions are being talked about, including being kicked out of the Premier League.
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs, there is also the potential that, if City are removed from the top flight, the EFL could back the Premier League's position and keep the eight-time Premier League champions out of the Football League as well.
United would miss the derbies against their rivals, but it would also boost their chances of winning the Premier League title again, given how dominant City have been in recent years.
If the worst was to happen to City, you would expect their biggest stars to look for an escape route, which could give clubs like United a big opportunity.
It is something that hasn't gone unnoticed by talkSPORT pundit Gabby Agbonlahor, who has tipped them to move for two City stars, while speaking on the show on the morning of September 28.
He said: “Donnarumma – I have been watching Lammens. Poor at the World Cup, cost Belgium in that game, and I think he has not been great this season.
“Look at the own goal – Lisandro Martinez against Fulham. He has got to be better with that save. I am not convinced by him.
Man City Transfer Fees Paid for Anderson and Donnarumma:
Elliot Anderson - £116m
Gianluigi Donnarumma - £26m
Agbonlahor added: "Elliot Anderson – Manchester United wanted you, now you go there.
“Manchester United – you wanted Elliot Anderson, go and get him for maybe half the price.”
Man United Would Need to Sacrifice New Signing
REUTERS/Jon Super
It was no secret that Elliot Anderson was Man United's number one midfield target during the summer, but their chances of signing him ended when Man City registered their interest in signing him from Nottingham Forest.
The Red Devils may soon get a second chance to sign him, but they'd have to sacrifice one of their new signings in order to bring the England international to Old Trafford.
This summer, United signed three new central midfielders in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, while Kobbie Mainoo signed a new long-term deal in 2026 too.
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Tielemans vs Santos at Man United
Appearances
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Both he and Baleba, who is yet to make an appearance, look like they could be big players for future years, and the arrival of Anderson would raise doubts over Tielemans and Santos.
So far, it is the former who is getting the most minutes, but he will be 30 in May and the Brazilian has more time on his side, given he is 22 years of age.
Santos is already struggling to get on the pitch, so adding another midfielder of Anderson's quality would only decrease that further, meaning someone would need to be brutally sacrificed.